Number of Seoul Schools Using AI for Short-Answer and Essay Assessments to Be Expanded from 66 to 120

On February 10, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education
"Plan to Enhance Secondary Student Assessment for the 2026 Academic Year"

This year in Seoul, the number of schools using AI to grade essay-type and short-answer tests is expected to increase from the existing 66 schools to 120 schools.

On February 10, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced the "Plan to Enhance Secondary Student Assessment for the 2026 Academic Year," which includes expanding essay-type and short-answer assessments, introducing AI-based grading support, and strengthening fairness in assessment. According to the plan, the Office of Education will gradually expand the essay-type and short-answer assessment system.

First, this year it will upgrade the "AI Essay and Short-Answer Assessment Support System (Chaeum AI)" and operate AI essay-type and short-answer assessment practice schools at 120 schools. Last year, the focus was on building the platform and developing AI grading and feedback models, and the system was pilot-operated at 66 schools in Seoul. This year, however, the Office plans to improve the AI automatic grading model by enhancing functions such as handwriting recognition and to nearly double the number of practice schools.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education expects that from 2027, when the Chaeum AI service is commercialized and the system is further advanced, all schools in Seoul will be able to conduct essay-type and short-answer assessments using AI.

Teacher training and on-site support will also be provided in parallel to strengthen the capacity for designing and operating essay-type assessments. In addition, to ensure assessments based on teachers' expertise and autonomy, the "Student Assessment Support Group" will be expanded. The Student Assessment Support Group is expected to consist of 100 members in the Achievement Assessment Support Group, 50 in the Essay-Type Assessment Support Group, 30 in the Assessment Improvement Research Group, and 20 in the Academic Achievement Management Support Group.

Furthermore, to firmly establish "process-oriented performance assessment" linked to classroom instruction, the Office will strengthen the development of materials, teacher training, and school-tailored consulting. Performance assessments will be improved so that they are not one-off assignments, but instead examine the entire learning process and provide feedback.

To build the foundation for a future-oriented assessment system, an "Curriculum and Assessment Support Center" will also be established and operated. This center will be responsible for quality control of achievement assessment, support for expanding essay-type and short-answer assessments, and support for teacher professionalism. In the mid to long term, it will play a central role in developing absolute grading standards and enhancing the reliability of assessments.

Superintendent Jeong Geunsik said, "Assessment should not be a tool that simply differentiates results, but a process that supports students' learning and growth," adding, "We will swiftly promote the transition to a future-oriented student assessment system in a way that schools can tangibly feel."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.